In order to promote the understanding and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, Dole Fruit Bowls, Key Food and Captain Planet Foundation are teaming up to host a learning garden grant contest.

The Dole Fruit Bowls, Key Food and Captain Planet Foundation Project Learning Garden Grant Contest will allow New York City school officials, parents or volunteers involved with eligible schools (K-5) to apply to win a Captain Planet Learning Garden. Two grand prize-winning schools will win a Learning Garden from the Captain Planet Foundation, which includes garden installation (or expansion of an existing garden), a mobile garden cooking cart, standards-based learning garden lessons, lesson supply kits and a day of professional development for teachers. In addition, the two winning schools will receive a one-year supply of Dole Fruit Bowls.

CPF’s Project Learning Garden provides the opportunity for teachers to extend the classroom into the garden for project-based learning, fresh vegetable tasting events and an understanding of the role that fresh fruits and vegetables play in a healthy lifestyle.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Captain Planet Foundation to offer Learning Gardens to New York City schools,” Stan Stuka, marketing director of Dole Fruit Bowls, said in a press release. “We know that the best learning gardens have the power to teach students about good nutrition and how fruits and vegetables grow, even when they begin simply by planting seeds in up-cycled Dole Fruit Bowls.”

“We are extremely excited to be a part of this program,” Michele Gissi, interactive marketing and public relations manager of Key Food Stores Co-Operative Inc., said in the release “As a food retailer, we pride ourselves on nutritional education and healthy eating options. We are so happy to be able to bring Learning Gardens to two schools in our community through this grant.”

A panel of judges will select the two grand prize winners, who will be announced on National Food Day, Oct. 24.

“We know that when kids engage with a learning garden, they develop an early palate for fresh fruits and vegetables and an authentic understanding and appreciation for the natural world in which they live,” Leesa Carter, executive director of Captain Planet Foundation, said in the release.